Kalobeyei Settlement Planning

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Government of Kenya, UNHCR, and Shigeru Ban Architects

Manufacturing/Building Method

The project is constructed through a community participatory approach where members from different communities are included to represent the different groups of refugees from the design to the construction. The selected members give their input into the housing design that meets their most pressing needs while still fulfilling the goal of providing a high quality of life aspect for the occupants or owners. Once the base plan is developed, an iterative process to refine the design with continuous efforts from experts and community members is used to produce the most suitable shelter design for construction.

Intellectural Property Type

Select Type

User Provision Model

The plan is developed together with the users (occupants) and implemented by the UNHCR, World bank and the government of Kenya, county government of Turkana. The occupants are then given cash to obtain materials and labor for constructing the actual shelter. 

Distributions to Date Status

As at 2019, one of the proposed villages had been constructed with the remaining three still undergoing construction. 82 families had been resettled for the pilot phase of the shelter construction project.

Design Specifications

The shelters are constructed from timber, bricks and compressed earth blocks. The size of the shelter for each family is dependent on the family size.

• Type A is made with paper tubes: this uses minimal technology from paper tubes combined with the locally available knowledge for ease of construction
• Type B with timber and mud bricks: this design uses prefabricated, earthquake resistant timber for the walls to allow easy construction. The frame is then finished with brick infills 
• Type C with interlocking soil bricks: this is made of compressed earth bricks for the frame and walls. 

Product Schematics

Technical Support

The construction requires minimal effort to construct the shelter, with less sophisticated tools and equipment to construct. The designs are based on construction techniques that are part of the local methods and knowhow, which makes it easier to implement. The repairs can be easily done with minimal tools. The pre-assembled components facilitate easier installation and repair.

Replacement Components

Unknown

Lifecycle

Unknown

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

The permanent housing prototypes can withstand harsh environmental conditions such as earthquakes, tsunami while also protecting the inhabitants from the poor housing conditions previously experienced in tents. 

Vetted Performance Status

The prototype for the housing Models A, B and C have been tested in Kobe City, in Nepal and in Sri Lanka respectively.

Safety

The construction of the housing uses simple techniques and tools hence only minor safety concerns from the use of tools and methods such may be anticipated..

Complementary Technical Systems

None

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

Unknown

Other Information

None